PRINT: Rock Climb Zombie Woof (submitted as Big Hands Roof), Grand Junction Area

Zombie Woof (submitted as Big Hands Roof)

5.10+, Trad, 100 ft (30 m),

Avg: 3.7 from 67 votes
FA: Dave Henritze, Jim Olsen, Jim N, and others, 1980s
Colorado > Grand Junction… > Escalante Canyon > Zappa Wall

Access Issue: The Cabin Wall and the Island are both closed to climbing Details

The Cabin Wall and the Island are closed. In regard to the rest of the areas in Escalante "Continued use of this area relies on good stewardship and a relationship of trust with the landowner."

Respect local residents, cattle and wildlife by following the posted speed limit of 20 mph.
Minimize user impact by staying on established trails and roads.
Park off the road in established pull-offs or parking areas.
Pack out human waste and garbage.
Keep noise to a minimum.
Portions of Escalante Canyon are active ranching areas. Keep pets under leash control at all times.
No fires and no discharge of firearms.
Camp in established areas only. No camping on private property.

Description

This is a great long route that puts a bit of hurt on you through a small roof and up wide hands/fists. Be careful on the lower section. Your belayer may want to plug something into the Chinle as you are perched on a bit of a knoll.

Location

This is climber's right of The Curve and across the drainage approximately 250 feet. Start at the top of the opposite drainage and traverse some Chinle to begin the crack.

Protection

Bring a yellow Metolius, some other fingers at the bottom, doubles from #0.75 to #3, maybe triples of #3, and 1 or 2 #4s.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Pulling the Woof.

Leaving the crack for a stance on the ledge.

The line in the center is Big Hands Roof. A great route.

Taking a lap.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Fleetwood Matt

I think Keith told me this one's called Zombie Woof.... Jul 2, 2013

Frosty Weller
Colorado

5.10+

Yeah, Zombie Woof is what I know this as also. 5.10+. Feb 20, 2015

Traveler

Greetings. The name of this route is Zombie Woof given to it on the first ascent by myself and others sometime in the mid to late '80s. I'm not quite sure who was there. Dave Henritze was there along with Jim Olsen and an assortment of other folks. It was also the weekend that Chuck Grosman was married. I have a vague memory that I hung just after the roof. It saddens me to see that someone thought the route needed an anchor at the end of the crack. The original anchor is in the most logical place, a ledge. However, todays climbers just can't seem to make that jump to placing anchors from ledges, when available. The placement of the anchor on the ledge camouflaged the anchor to some degree, which in today's atmosphere of increased scrutiny from private land owners and BLM/Forest Service managers is desirable.
Cheers, JN Apr 3, 2016

Cole Pazar
Boulder, CO

5.11-

Classic but sandbagged as per Escalante style. Mar 21, 2020

Spencer Weiler
Grand Junction

5.10+

Excellent rock quality, likely the best at Zappa - slowly widening the whole way from fingers to fists. Tight 3s through the roof, and those with small hands will thrutch. Good rest before the 10 feet of man hands/fist/forearm jams to the top. 5.10+ seems fair to me for average-sized man hands. Easier than Uncle Remus and The Curve, IMO.

Protect with single 0.5/75, two 1s/2s, three 3s, and two 4s. Apr 1, 2024